Despite a disappointing ride at the National High School Finals Rodeo in New Mexico last week, Cody Kiser, 18, walked away with $1,500 in scholarships and a renewed determination.
"I'm very disappointed in myself for the riding," he said. "But I know I can ride a lot better than I did. It was just a mental block. I know I can do it."
He scored a low 47 points in bareback riding at the Farmington, N.M., rodeo but took first place in a trap shoot competition and third place in target shooting.
He received $1,000 and a belt buckle for his trap shoot win, along with partner Joe Harper of Paradise Valley. He won $500 for his third-place finish.
He will apply both to his tuition at the University of Nevada, Reno where he plans to study engineering next year.
As for the rest of the summer, the Dayton High grad plans to continue riding bucking horses on the amateur circuit. His next rodeo is Saturday in Fairfield, Idaho.
"I'm done with high school," he said. "It's on to amateur. I'm not going to let the mental block get to me."